The district council has hailed its new wheelie bin recycling service, saying it has brought about a near 20 per cent leap in the district's recycling rate.

According to East Cambridgeshire District Council the average recycling rate is now up to 54 per cent – from about 38 per cent - just three months after being rolled out to thousands of homes.

The council said that between October and December 2013, more than 3,864 tonnes were recycled in East Cambridgeshire – this compares to 2,293 tonnes over the same period in 2012.

Cllr Richard Hobbs, chairman of community and environment committee, said: “We thought our recycling rate would increase with the introduction of wheelie bins but I don’t think any of us expected such an instant and dramatic change.

“Such a significant improvement is testament to the hard work and planning which went into the roll out of the new service.”

With a recycling rate down below 40 per cent, the council was, at one point, the worst performing authority in Cambridgeshire and among the worst in the country.

The council was also facing a punishing fine from the European Union if it didn’t increase its rate to at least 50 per cent before 2020.

The district was thrown a life-line late last year however, when the Government announced it would grant the council in excess of £5million to introduce a new wheelie bin recycling service.

Cllr Hobbs added: “We know we cannot be complacent and we have plans to keep promoting the recycling message over the coming months. We will be going to primary schools as well as holding roadshows in market towns to explain how the new service works and how residents can recycle more.

“We have made an excellent start and I am sure as we move forward we can do even more to raise our recycling levels further.”